Spring in northwest Arkansas often brings storms. Floods and tornadoes are most common between March 15 and June 15, said Peter Snyder, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Tulsa, Okla. Last year, Arkansas saw 33 tornadoes, which is average.
Benton County has technology to call residents when severe weather approaches through BC Alert. Although it had a rocky start when implemented in 2010, the system now works without glitches, said Richard McGowen, emergency management director.
At A Glance
Costly Storms
Flooding in August cost Benton County about $3.3 million.
Source: Staff Report
At A Glance
Tornado Alley
“Tornado Alley” is a term used to describe an are of the U.S. where tornados are more frequent. Although it has no defined boundaries, most experts believe it begins in Central Texas and stretches to southern South Dakota, with the most activity in North Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. In some maps, Northwest Arkansas is included in Tornado Alley.
Source: Smithsonian Institution
With BCAlert, area residents can select the information as well as the means of receiving it including land line telephone call, cell phone text or email.
Benton County initiates sirens for Pea Ridge, McGowen said. On the first Wednesday of each month, if no storms are threatening, the sirens in Pea Ridge are sounded for a test.
Pea Ridge has a community storm shelter, constructed on the campus of Pea Ridge High School. The doors are automatically unlocked when a tornado warning is issued. Rules for use of the shelter can be found on the school web site.
General News on 04/23/2014